L-R: Swapnil Jain, Co-Founder & CTO, Ather Energy and Tarun Mehta, Co-Founder & CEO, Ather Energy with the EL platform and REDUX concept e-scooter.

Bengaluru-based electric two-wheeler major Ather Energy unveiled its new scooter platform ‘EL’ and a suite of advanced technologies at its annual Community Day event. The new platform is designed to be more versatile, scalable and cost-effective, marking the company’s first major vehicle architecture since the launch of the 450 series.

Tarun Mehta, Co-Founder and CEO, Ather Energy, said, “With the EL platform, we are laying the foundation for Ather’s next phase of growth. Just as the 450 defined our first chapter, EL will define the next, enabling us to develop multiple types of scooters at scale far more efficiently. This platform-first approach enables faster innovation and improved efficiency, serviceability, and rider experience. EL reflects years of learning, deep R&D, and engineering. Our new factory at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar will scale with EL platform products to meet growing demand effectively.”

In addition to the new platform, Ather announced several key technological and product updates:

• AtherStack 7.0: The latest version of Ather's software introduces voice-based interaction with the scooter. The system uses a large language model trained on Indian dialects, allowing for more natural conversations. New safety features like Pothole Alerts and Crash Alerts are also part of this update.
• Faster Charging: Ather unveiled a new 6 kW fast charger that is half the size of its predecessor and can add up to 30 km of range in just 10 minutes for select models. The new chargers will also feature built-in tyre inflators.
• Infinite Cruise: This new advanced cruise control system is specifically designed for Indian riding conditions. It offers three modes – CityCruise, Hill Control and Crawl Control – that adapt to different environments, from city traffic to steep inclines and uneven roads.
• Product Updates: The Rizta family scooter will now feature a touchscreen dashboard and a new ‘Terracotta Red’ colour. An ‘Eco Mode’ will also be added to balance performance with range. Additionally, the Ather Halo smart helmet has been updated with new safety and convenience features.

Ather also showed off a concept moto-scooter called Redux, which provides a glimpse into the company's future vision for performance and rider-vehicle interaction. The concept features a lightweight aluminium frame, 3D-printed components and a user interface that adapts to the rider's posture and intent.

The new EL platform and software updates position Ather to expand its product line and continue its growth in the electric two-wheeler market. The company’s new factory in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar is expected to scale up production to meet the anticipated demand for vehicles built on the EL platform.

Swapnil Jain, Co-Founder & CTO, Ather Energy, said, “At Ather, we have always focused on simplifying technology and making it mainstream for riders. With AtherStack 7.0, we’re bringing AI into everyday riding through an LLM (Large Language Model) trained for our use cases and tuned to Indian dialects. Voice is the first step in that journey, an interface beyond buttons that makes rides smarter, safer, and more intuitive. It also makes our existing suite of AtherStack 7.0 features more accessible and mainstream for everyday use.”

Triumph Motorcycles has concluded the 2026 edition of The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride (DGR) in India, marking its 13th year of partnership with the event. The ride, which supports prostate cancer research and men’s mental health initiatives, saw participation grow to over 3,700 riders across more than 70 cities in India, an increase from 46 cities in 2025.

Participants rode classic and modern classic motorcycles while dressed in formal attire to support the global movement, which saw riders from 109 countries take part.

The 2026 DGR milestone coincides with Triumph reaching 100,000 motorcycles on Indian roads. This target was achieved within 2.5 years of the launch of the Triumph 400 platform, developed in partnership with Bajaj Auto. The company states that the success of the 400 platform has facilitated the growth of modern classic motorcycling and expanded its rider community beyond metropolitan areas.

Manik Nangia, President, Probiking, Bajaj Auto, said, “The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride has grown into one of the most meaningful global movements in motorcycling, and Triumph is proud to have played a leading role in expanding its scale and participation in India over the years. This year’s edition across 70+ cities reflects the strength of our rider community, dealer network, and the passion that riders bring to the Triumph brand. It is especially encouraging to see the ride grow beyond metro markets into newer riding communities across the country. The milestone of crossing 1 lakh Triumph motorcycles on Indian roads within just 2.5 years of the launch of the Triumph 400 platform makes this edition even more special for us. More importantly, it reflects the rise of a new generation of riders who truly are ‘Those Who Know the Difference’.”

Classic Legends, one of the leading mid-sized motorcycle manufacturers, has launched a nationwide service initiative titled the ‘Legends’ Care Camp’ across its authorised Jawa, Yezdi and BSA dealership network. The event is scheduled to run from 23 May to 31 May, 2026.

This initiative reflects the company’s commitment to improving the aftersales experience and customer satisfaction. The service camp will take place in various cities, providing owners with comprehensive vehicle health check-ups and benefits related to service, spare parts, labour and accessories.

During the camp, trained technicians will conduct a 72-point motorcycle inspection. This assessment focuses on key performance and safety areas, including: engine performance, braking systems, clutch operation, electrical systems, tyre condition, suspension, battery health and overall vehicle condition.

The initiative is designed to ensure optimal riding performance and safety, particularly as riders prepare for the monsoon season. Customers visiting dealerships can also access expert consultations on motorcycle upkeep and special offers on periodic maintenance.

Jayapradeep Vasudevan, Head of National Business Operations, Classic Legends, said, “At Classic Legends, customer experience and rider satisfaction remain at the core of our approach. Through the “Legends’ Care Camp”, we aim to offer riders expert service support and proactive vehicle care, ensuring their motorcycles continue to deliver the performance, reliability and riding experience that our brands are known for.”

Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, has launched its XPulse 200 4V and XPulse 200 Pro motorcycles in the United Kingdom, expanding its international adventure motorcycle line-up.

The rollout represents the next phase of the manufacturer's European expansion, following its initial entry into the UK market last year through a distribution partnership with MotoGB.

The motorcycles were introduced at the Inch Perfect Trials in the Ribble Valley, marking the brand's latest European expansion following recent market entries in Italy and Spain. Distribution and aftersales service will be managed via MotoGB’s network of 36 sales and service outlets across the UK, with all models backed by a two-year warranty.

Both models are powered by a 199.6cc, four-stroke, four-valve, single-cylinder, oil-cooled engine paired with a five-speed constant-mesh transmission. The engine produces 18.9 BHP at 8,500 RPM and 17.35 Nm of torque at 6,500 RPM. The motorcycles feature an LCD instrument cluster with Bluetooth connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation, a Class-D LED projector headlamp and three anti-lock braking system (ABS) modes (Road, Off-Road and Rally).

Harshavardhan Chitale, CEO, Hero MotoCorp, said, “The launch of the XPulse 200 series marks an important step in strengthening Hero MotoCorp’s global adventure motorcycling portfolio in the UK. The XPulse has created a strong identity globally as an accessible yet highly capable adventure motorcycle that appeals to both - everyday riders and off-road enthusiasts. With its proven performance, versatility and adventure-focused DNA, we are confident that the XPulse range will strongly resonate with the riders. As we continue to expand across international markets, our focus remains on bringing globally benchmarked products and building deeper customer engagement worldwide.”

The XPulse 200 Pro includes hardware adaptations for off-road use, featuring handlebar risers to assist with standing positions and an extended gear shift lever designed to accommodate off-road riding boots. Both variants are equipped with protective bash plates, handguards, and a rear luggage plate with integrated cargo hooks as standard equipment.

Chennai-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major TVS Motor Company, a part of TVS Group, has appointed Ravindran Shanmugam as an independent director for a 5-year term, effective 13 May 2026, pending shareholder approval.

Shanmugam is a technology entrepreneur and business leader with experience in digital transformation and AI platforms. He currently serves as the Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Mablle, an AI-based interior design platform in Singapore. He has previously worked as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company and is an alumnus of the University of Oxford.

Sudarshan Venu, Chairman, TVS Motor Company, said, “Ravindran Shanmugam brings deep expertise in digital & consumer-focused businesses, and AI-led transformation, along with strong experience in strategy, entrepreneurship and scaling businesses across global markets. His perspectives will add valuable depth to the TVS Motor board as we continue to strengthen our future-ready growth ambitions. We are delighted to welcome him and look forward to benefiting from his insights and guidance.”

Ravindran Shanmugam, said, “I am honoured to join the board of TVS Motor Company, an institution with a strong legacy of engineering excellence, customer trust and global ambition. Mobility is being reshaped by technology, digital ecosystems, AI and evolving consumer expectations, and TVS Motor is well positioned to play a meaningful role in this transformation. I look forward to contributing to the board’s deliberations and supporting the company’s long-term growth journey with perspectives from technology-led transformation, platform businesses and consumer-focused innovation.”